Ice scoring machine



Nov. 20, 1934. E, o. ROBINSON 1,981,331

ICE SCORING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l 514m: mtoz Macaw o.

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ICE SCORING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 6 5 4 4 4 f f 2 @O Z103 in son 1934- E. o. ROBINSON ICE SCORING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,7Y 0. 2902 2'72 Jon WWI wuss Gum/Mum.

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Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNETED STATES FATENT QFFICE ICE SCORING MACHINE Eugene 0. Robinson, Hutchinson, Kans.

Application August 28, 1933, Serlai No. 687,204

12 Glaims.

The invention relates to a machine for scoring large blocks of ice such manner as to permit easy breaking thereof into relatively small blocks.

Two scoring devices, each having thermoscoring blades, are provided for contact with opposite sides of an ice block, and a trackway is located between said scoring devices to receive said block, and one object of the invention is to provide for novel relative movement of said parts to effect contact of the thermo-scoring blades with the ice block and to free said block when scored.

In carrying out the above object, one of the IS scoring devices is fixedly mounted, the other scoring device and the vtrackway are mounted for shifting relative to each other and relative to said fixed scoring device, and means are provided for inwardly and outwardly shifting the movable scoring device; and a further aim of the invention is to make provision whereby the inward movement of said movable scoring device not only effects contact thereof with the ice block, but shifts said block and its supporting trackway to dispose the block against the fixed scoring device.

A still further object is to provide the movable scoring device and the trackway with coacting portions which return said trackway to its normal position to disengage the ice block from the fixed scoring device, when said movable scoring device is returned to the position which it normally occupies.

Other objects are to provide a novel and advantageous structure for each of the scoring devices to accommodate the necessary electric heaters and wiring therefor; and to provide a unique and desirable assemblage of electric heater and scoring blade.

Yet another object is the provision of a con struction which will be rather simple and inexpensive to operate, economical, efficient and long-lived.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings. r0 Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the normal relation of elements, in readiness for the sliding of an ice block into the machine.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view showing the relation of elements when the ice block is being scored.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on line 3--3 ,of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View on line i-l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical transverse section on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. I is a perspective view of the flanged plate constituting part of either the fixed or the 5 movable scoring devicei 2 Figs 8 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of the upper portion of one of the scoring devices.

Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged sectional views on lines 9-9 and 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a detail horizontal sectional. view on line 11 -11 of Fig. 1.

' In. the drawings above briefly described, one form of construction has been disclosed, and 7 while such construction will be rather specifically explained, it is to be understood that within the scopeof the invention. as claimed, variations may be made.

The numerals 12 and 13 denote two spaced parallel vertical side frames rigidly connected at their upper ends by transverse bars. 14 and similarly connected at their lower ends by trans-- verse track bars 15. A trackway 16 to support an ice block to be scored, rests upon the bars 5 15 for sliding transversely of the machine, said trackway preferably consisting of angle metal ice-engaging tracks 17 resting upon the bars 15, and transverse guide bars 18 secured to saidv tracks and slidably engaging edges of said bars Fixed and movable ice-scoring devices F and M respectively, are provided at opposite sides of the trackway 16, both of said devices being in the nature of vertical walls each carrying at least one vertical thermo-scoring blade 19 and any desired number of horizontal thermo-scoring blades 20, together with heating means of electrical nature for said blades, and housing means for the heating means and the conductors thereof, all of which will be hereinafter described.

The fixed scoring device F is connected with the side frame 12 by upper and lower rods 21 suitably secured to said fixed scoring device and adjustably connected at 22 (see Fig. 11) with said frame 12. The adjustments for the rods or the like 21 allow positioning of the fixed scoring device F for proper contact with the side of an ice block, whether said side be truly vertical or at an angle to the vertical. v

The movable scoring device M is provided with rollers 23 resting upon the endmost of the bars 15, and upper and lower horizontal rods 24 which project laterally outward from said device M, are slidably received in guides 25 secured to upper and lower horizontal bars 26 and 27 which constitute parts of the side frame 13.

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The inner ends of the rods 24 are pivoted at 28 to the movable scoring device M, the outer ends of said rods are provided with adjustable stops 29, and coiled compression springs 2.9 surround said rods to push the scoring device M inwardly when permitted to do so. During such inward pushing of the device M, the pivots 28 allow said device to cant somewhat to the vertical, so that it may properly engage the ice block. As soon as the device M pushes against the block of ice, it shifts said block and the trackway 16 toward the fixed device F, so that the ice block is presented against both sets of the thermo-scoring blades 19 and 20.

A vertical rock shaft 30 is mounted in appropriate bearings 30' at the outer side of the frame 13, said rock shaft being provided with crank arms 31 connected by links 32 with the movable scoring device M. The upper end of shaft 30 is provided with a hand lever 33 which is normally'engaged with a hook 34 (see Fig. 1). The shaft 30 is thus held in position to hold the scoring device M in its outermost position, with the springs 29 compressed. When the ice block is received upon the trackway 16, the lever 33 is suddenly released, whereupon the springs 29 shift the scoring device M, the trackway 16 and the ice block toward the fixed scoring device F,

as above explained.

. The hook 34 which normally holds the hand lever 33, is preferably provided with a bevel 35 (Fig. 1). By giving the lever a quick inward jerk, it engages this bevel and raises the hook from engagement with the lever, and by at this moment releasing the lever, it will not again engage the hook but will swing outwardly as the springs 29 push th scoring device M inwardly. At the completion of the ice-scoring operation, lever 33 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1, to return the movable scoring device M to its normal position, and provision is made whereby such return movement of said scoring device M also returns the trackway 16 to its normal position.- The scoring device M is thus freed from engagement with the scored ice block, and this ice block is freed from engagement with the fixed scoring device F, so that the scored block may be pushed out of the machine and another block may enter. The travel of the ice block into the machine is limited by a stop arm 36 on a rock shaft 37 supported by the bars 14, and when said rock shaft is turned to swing the arm 36 upwardly, the block is free to leave. The incoming block is guided by the diverging ends of the tracks 17 and by diverging guide arms 38 carried by the scoring devices M and F.

For returning the trackway 16 to normal when the movable scoring device M' returns, I have provided said scoring device with a downward projection 39 received in a yoke 40. See more particularly Figs. 3, 4 and 6. One of the tracks 17 is formed With a notch 41 in which the projection 39 is movable, and as both of the scoring devices M and F are substantial duplicates, an-

other notch 41 is provided in the other track 17 to receive the projection 39' of the fixed scoring device. While in Fig. 2, parts of the projections 39 and 39 project above the icesupporting flanges of the tracks 17, the normal relation of parts is such that said projections and the scoring blades 19 and 20, cannot interfere with entrance of an ice block into the machine or discharge of the block therefrom. When lever 33 is swung from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 1, it aiTects outward shifting of the scoring device M to its normal position, during which travel, the projection 39 strikes the yoke 40, returning the trackway 16 to its normal position. During these movements, the scoring device M moves outwardly away from the ice block and the trackway 16 moves this ice block away from the fixed scoring device F, so that the scored block may be discharged from the machine and another block entered.

Each of the scoring devices M and F is of novel construction and a description of one will suflice for both. Avertical plate 42 is provided, sub-. stantially co-extensive in area with one side of an ice block .to be scored by the machine. This plate is provided with a central vertical slot 43 and with a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal slots 44 whose inner ends open intosaid vertical slot. The outer side of the plate is provided with integral lateral flanges 46 disposed at' opposite sides of the slots 44, and is provided also with short vertical lateral flanges 47 at opposite sides of the slot 43, the two sets of flanges 46 and 4''! being integral with each other. Vertical web portions 48, in a plane spaced outwardly from and parallel with the plate 42, are integrally joined to the outer vertical edges of, the flanges 47, so that the plate structure is not weakened by the vertical slot 43. To prevent weakening, due to the slots 44, the vertical edges of plate 42 are provided with lateral flanges 49 which are integral with said plate and integral with the outer ends of the flanges 46. A substantially arched integral flange 50 is provided at the upper end of the plate and a centrally widened integral flange 51 extends horizontally above the uppermost of the horizontal flanges 46 and the contiguous web 48. This flange 51 is integral with the uppermost of the. flanges 47, which are longer than the others of said flanges '47 and are integrally joined to the arched flange 50. A similar centrally widened flange 52 is provided under the lower most of the horizontal flanges 46. Short vertical webs 53-are shown extending between the flanges 51and 52 and the adjacent flanges 46, near the vertical'flanges 49, and said webs may be instrumental in pivotally connecting the mov able scoring device M with the rods 24, as will be obvious from Fig. 1.

Secured againstthe ice-engaging side of the plate 42, is a covering 54 of heat-insulating material, screws 55 being preferably employed to attach said covering. This covering is slotted at 56 in position to allow the scoring blades 19 and 20 to pass therethrough. Each of these scoring blades is of T-shape in transverse section and the back 57 thereof is secured in contact with a flat electric heater 58, by means of a channel-shaped metal sheath 59. (See more particularly Figs. 8, 9 and 10). These assemblages are disposed between the vertical flanges 47 and the horizontal flanges 46, and the ends 58' which are in turn fastened to the plate 42.

Insulating strips 60 which are positioned between the flanges 47 and between the flanges 46, lie against the sheaths 59, transverse strips 61 lie against said insulating strips 60, spacing sleeves 62 abut the strips 61, and other insulating strips 63 abut the outer ends of said spacing sleeves and fit tightly between the outer edges of the flanges 46 and 4:7. Studs 64 project outwardly from the plate 42, pass through 60, 61, 62 and 53, and are provided at their outer ends with nuts 65. The space between the insulating strips 60 and 63 receives the wiring 66 for the heaters 58, which wiring enters between the up-- permost flanges 47 which may be spanned by a cover plate 67 to which a conduit may be connected. In the present showing, a junction box 68 having an inlet conduit 69 is secured to the side frame 12. Another conduit 70 extends from the junction box 68 to carry the wiring for the heaters of the movable scoring device M, said conduit 70 having a flexible end 70 connected to the plate 67 of said movable scoring device M. A short conduit 7 1 (Fig. 2) extends from the junction box 68 to carry the wiring for the heaters of the fixed scoring device F.

It will be seen from the foregoing that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the objects of the invention, and attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention as claimed. Heaters and scoring blades have not been shown in connection with all of the slots is, but more could be added if desired, and the positions of the blades may be varied, by providing the slot arrangement shown.

1. An ice scoring machine comprising a fixed scoring device, a laterally shiftable trackway for an ice block, said trackway being disposed at one side of said scoring device, and means for laterally shifting said trackway and the ice block to press said ice block against said scoring device.

2. An ice scoring machine comprising a fixed scoring device, a laterally shiftable trackway for an ice block, said trackway being disposed at one side of said scoring device, a laterally movable scoring device at the side of the trackway opposite said fixed scoring device, and means for forcing said laterally movable scoring device against the ice block and for laterally shifting the ice block and trackway to press the former against the fixed scoring device.

3. An ice scoring machine comprising a fixed scoring device, a laterally shiftable trackway for an ice block, said trackway being disposed at one side of said scoring device, means for laterally shifting said trackway and the ice block to press said ice block against said scoring device, and means for returning said trackway to its normal position to free the scored ice block from the scoring device.

l. An ice scoring machine comprising a fixed scoring device, a laterally shiftable trackway for an ice block, said traclrway being disposed at one side of said scoring device, a laterally movable scoring device at the side of the trackway opposite said fixed scoring device, means for forcing said laterally movable scoring device against the ice block and for laterally shifting the ice block and trackway to press the former against the fixed scoring device, co-acting means on said trackway and said movable scoring device for returning said trackway to its normal position when said movable scoring device is returned to its normal position, and means for so returning said movable scoring device.

An ice scoring machine comprising two spaced parallel vertical side frames, transverse tracks extending between and secured to the lower ends of said side frames, spacing means connecting the upper ends of said side frames, a fixed vertical ice scoring device carried by one of side frames, a laterally movable vertical ic'e scoringdevice mounted on the other of said side frames, a trackway for an ice block supported for lateral Shifting on said transverse track-s, means acting against said movable scoring device and react-ing against said other side frame for shifting said movable scoring device, an ice block and said trackway toward said fixed scoring device, and means mounted on said other side frame for --returning said trackway and said movable scoring device to their normal positions.

"6. ice scoring machine comprising two spaced parallel vertical side frames, transverse tracks extending between and secured to the lower ends of said side frames, spacing means connecting theupper ends of said side frames, a fixed vertical ice scoring device carried by one 'of said side frames, a laterally movable vertical ice scoring device mounted on the other of said side frames, a trackway for an ice block supported for lateral shifting on said transverse tracks, means acting against said movable scoring device and reacting against said other side frame for shifting said movable scoring device, an ice block and said trackway toward said fixed scoring device, means mounted on said other side frame for returning said movable scoring device to its normal position, and coacting means on said movable scoring device and said trackway for returning the latter to its normal position.

'7. In an ice scoring machine, a support for an ice block, a laterally movable scoring device to abut one side of the ice block, a fixed side frame at the outer side of said scoring device, said frame being provided with upper and lower substantially horizontal guides which are disposed transverse to said scoring device, upper and lower rods slidably engaged with said guides, said scoring device being pivoted to said rods on horizontal axes, and means for shifting said scoring device and rods toward and from an ice block on said ice block support.

8. In an ice scoring machine, a plate for disposition at one side of an ice block, said plate having slots which open through both its inner and outer sides, the outer-side of said plate being provided with integral lateral flanges extending along opposite sides of said slots, electric heaters mounted between said flanges and having ice scoring blades projecting through said slots, and closures for the spaces between the outer edges of said flanges.

9. In an ice scoring machine, a plate for disposition atone side of an ice block, said plate having a central vertical slot and horizontal slots opening into said vertical slotjall of said slots opening through both the inner and outer sides of the plate, said outer side of said plate being provided with relatively long integral lateral flanges extending along opposite sides of said horizontal slots, and being provided with relatively short integral lateral flanges extending along opposite sides of said vertical slot, the vertical and horizontal flanges being integrally joined to each other, said outer side of said plate being further provided with integral lateral iii LIL

flanges integral with the outer ends of said horizontal flanges, electric heaters mounted between said vertical flanges and said horizontal flanges and having ice scoring blades projecting through said'slots, and closures for the spaces between the outer edges of said flanges.

10. In an ice scoring machine, a plate for disposition at one side of an iceblock, said plate having a central vertical slot and horizontal slots opening into said vertical'slot, all of said slots opening through both the inner and outer sides of the plate, said outer side of said plate being provided with relatively long integral lateral flanges extending" along opposite sides of said horizontal slots, and being provided with relatively short integral lateral flanges extending along opposite sides of said vertical slot, the vertical and horizontal flanges being integrally joinedto each other, said outer side of said plate being further providedwith integral lateral flanges integral with the outer ends of said horizontal flanges vertically' spaced webs in a plane parallel with said plate and integrally joined to the outer edges of said short vertical flanges, electric heaters mounted between said vertical and horizontal flanges and having ice scoring blades projecting through said vertical and horizontal slots, and closures for the spaces between the outer edges of said horizontal flanges.

11. In an ice scoring machine, a plate having a slot and lateral flanges along opposite sides of said slot, a heater mounted between said flanges and having a scoring blade projecting through said slot, inner and outer parallel heatinsulating strips mounted between said flanges and disposed parallel with said plate between the heater and the outer edges of said flanges, and wiring for the heater disposed between said inner and outer strips.

12. In an ice scoring machine, an ice scoring blade of T-shape in transverse section, an electric heater lying against the back of said blade, and a channel-shaped metal sheath enclosing and embracing said heater and said back of said blade and tying said heater and said back together.

EUGENE O. ROBINSON. 

